According to the SEJ, in 2021, 84% of the United States population used at least one social media platform. Moreover, 57.6% of the world's population are social media users. So what does this mean for businesses? That means there is a huge opportunity to attract and engage customers using social media. Of course, easier said than done, but this blog will count as your guide on which social media platforms your business should utilize and what the benefits of each platform are.

Why Is Social Media Important?

Social media is essential because it allows businesses to reach customers faster and more effectively. Social media platforms have unique features, such as different ways to share content, real-time notifications, messaging systems, and social media stories. These features make each social media platform unique in its own way. However, each platform does allow for the opportunity to showcase your brand while telling your story. If done correctly, you will create an online community for your business, which builds loyalty among your audience.

The Top Social Media Platforms To Use

Facebook

Facebook, launched in 2004, is the largest social media platform. It currently has over 2.9 billion users (yes, you read that correctly, almost 3 billion users a month)! Although younger users are moving to other social media platforms, if your audience involves individuals over 30, this is the perfect platform for your business to utilize. Facebook allows businesses to reach an adult audience and create a sense of community among their customers with the brand. Because this platform strives for open conversation, you must create content that provokes thought and engages your audience to want to interact with your posts.

Twitter

Twitter, the hub for real-time information, was launched in 2003. So far this year, Twitter has had around 345 million users a month. On top of that, 40% of the users active on the platform use it multiple times a day. Twitter has become a popular outlet for entertainment, sports, politics, and news. In addition, approximately 63% of users range between ages 35 and 65. If that represents your target audience, Twitter should be used to communicate, engage, and interact with customers. When trying to attract customers to your business, it is imperative to post eye-catching photos and videos, as this allows your audience to familiarize and associate themselves with your brand. 

TikTok

Tiktok had over 1 billion downloads in 2018 (the first year it was available). Today, it is one of the fastest emerging social media platforms as it has over 1 billion monthly users. Many say it is the best platform to entertain your audience with short-form video content. These videos range anywhere from 15 and 60 seconds long. Videos consist of trending sound effects, music snippets, dances, and filters, which can increase how appealing and catchy your videos are to your target audience. Different from all the other platforms, 48% of TikTok users are between the ages of 10 and 29. Therefore, if your business tends to market to a younger audience, TikTok should be a significant part of your outreach on social media.

YouTube

Youtube, recognized as one of the original social media video platforms, was launched in 2005. YouTube now has 2.2 billion monthly active users, standing second only to Facebook. Also, a whopping 81% of the adults in the United States use this platform. Youtube has a strong presence among all age groups; therefore, companies should focus on creating content that is striking to their audience and builds interest for them to watch more. So if possible, YouTube should be used by all companies, as it appeals to everyone and has content in all industries.

Instagram

Instagram has grown tremendously since being launched in 2010. Instagram is a great place to showcase your business’s products or services using eye-catching photos or engaging videos that grab a user’s attention. According to WordStream, 36% of United States users use Instagram to follow brands and companies. In addition, Instagram ranks the highest for organic engagement rate between users and brands. This engagement is good because it allows businesses to interact with their customers and consistently showcase who they are as a brand. Also, Instagram has a business profile feature, where you can see analytics in a period of time, such as accounts reached, accounts engaged, and total followers. Because Instagram is most popular among teens and young adults, it is the perfect social media platform to take advantage of if your target audience is the younger demographic.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the leader of B2B social media platforms. After launching in 2003, LinkedIn later solidified itself as the all-in-one platform for all things business related. LinkedIn has provided a platform for companies and industry leaders to share content, post job opportunities, network with other professionals, build their brands, and establish thought leadership. Furthermore, LinkedIn has many users outside the United States, which is beneficial for any international companies or those looking to expand. In addition, LinkedIn has 65 million decision-makers and copious professionals at the senior level. Having these roles on this platform allows for opportunities to showcase your brand and persuade those who influence others to purchase your product or service.

Choosing The Right Platform

In all, there are a plethora of social media platforms - each with its advantages and disadvantages. When choosing which platform your business should be using, you must consider the features of each platform, such as the type of content on each platform, the age group that uses it the most, and what features it provides that can be helpful. Doing so will allow you to allocate resources to the appropriate platform and act as a catalyst to your business growing tremendously. If you’re ready to start using social media effectively, Contact Us or check out our Social Media Management Service!